Drought delays Tennessee trout stocking

The drought that has plagued much of the Southeast this year is taking a toll on trout fishing in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had planned to stock rainbow trout in the East Fork of Shoal Creek in Lawrenceburg on Dec. 19.

Low water levels at the state's Normandy Fish Hatchery has reduced the number of trout available for stocking and forced the wildlife agency to revise its plans for releasing the popular game fish into Shoal Creek.

The agency still hopes to release rainbow trout into the Lawrence County creek sometime in December, but is unsure of the date. The next scheduled trout stocking of the creek is scheduled for Feb. 21.

Additional details will be posted on the Internet at state.tn.us/twra as they become available.

Nature gifts available

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has several gifts for sale at its online nature shop that can be used as stocking stuffers for children who enjoy the outdoors, said Kim Nix, editor of Outdoor Alabama magazine.

Nix recommends Audubon birds plush toys, a Backyard Birdwatching for Kids book and another book, Take Me Fishing, as stocking stuffer gifts available from the online store.

There are also gifts for adult outdoors enthusiasts, including clothing, caps, books and Christmas ornaments, available from the store at outdooralabama.com.

Most of the items cost between $5 and $20, Nix said.

Profits are used by the Department of Conservation to help manage the state's fish and wildlife resources.

Cane Creek hike

Alabama Outdoors of Florence will sponsor a hike at Cane Creek Nature Preserve on Dec. 15.

The free hike will focus on the geology of the canyon. It will be led by Jim Lacefield, author of "Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks" and owner of the nature preserve south of Tuscumbia.

Hikers will meet at the nature preserve at 9 a.m. Directions are available at Alabama Outdoors on Court St.

Participants should take a lunch, water and snacks. For details, call 764-1809.

Forever Wild board meets

Alabama's Forever Wild Land Trust board of trustees will meet at 10 a.m. on Dec. 6 at the State Capital Auditorium in Montgomery.

The board will hear comments about lands it is considering purchasing and accept nominations of tracts to be considered for protection.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@timesdaily.com.